Columns

Defusing the Memories That Weigh Me Down

I’m a pretty happy person living a very relaxed life. Nevertheless, some of my memories make me cringe, cause me grief, and prod me with regret at inopportune times. When I think about my archive of memories, many of the not-so-lovely moments are colored by Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). Sometimes…

The Importance of Seeking Balance and Saying No

People often say that toddlers love the word “no.” While I don’t have any children of my own, all of my experiences interacting with toddlers tell me those folks may be right. For toddlers, “no” is a simple word that can be used to express discontentment when things don’t go…

Managing Frustrations When Fatigue Gets in the Way

When I started cleaning my place, I thought I’d finish in one evening. I didn’t think that was an unreasonable expectation. An evening is how long it usually takes. However, after vacuuming just my bedroom that Saturday evening, a sense of exhaustion came over me. My feet ached, and when…

Be Patient With Me, I’m a Slow Walker

When I was in college, Facebook groups and communities with names like “I want to punch slow walkers in the head” or “Slow walkers deserve to be kicked” were pretty trendy. Several of my friends joined such groups and proudly displayed their memberships…

I’m on the Hunt for a New Pastime to Keep Me Active

When a batter hits a baseball in just the right way, the impact makes a sound that’s pretty darn satisfying. It’s the distinctive “crack” that many folks think of when they think about their favorite baseball highlights. It’s the sound associated with evenings in packed stadiums, cold beer,…